At BES, we do not just focus on academics. We want our students to develop the skills that they need to become happy, healthy, independent adults. Summer is the perfect time to foster your child’s independence. Here are some of the non-academic life skills that you should consider discussing and working with your student this summer.
Boredom
A few years ago, after a four-hour standardized math test, I took my fifth-grade students out for extra recess. At first, they were excited. Forty minutes in, students were begging to go back inside. They were bored and they did not know how to handle it.
Our students are over-stimulated and over-scheduled. Whenever they are bored, they have a television, tablet, videogame, or phone to turn to. Their days are often packed to the brim with activity and structure. We need to remember that some level of boredom is a good thing. It gives their brains a rest and helps them develop their individuality and creativity. This summer, remember that navigating boredom is an essential life skill. Without it, students are more vulnerable to addictive behaviors and instant gratification. This is especially true for students who have ADHD who are far more likely to develop addictive habits or engage in unsafe behaviors to avoid boredom. Start slowly and ramp up unstructured technology-free time.
Finances
Everyone will need basic financial literacy and management skills and yet, this is a skill rarely taught in formal schooling. Students need to understand how to save up money for long term goals, how to create and modify budgets, and track changes in finances over time. Summer is a great time to start this training.
Remember, an allowance is only one form of financial training for children and teens. If you go back-to-school shopping, rather than buying their supplies and clothing for them, give them a budget. Allow them to purchase what they need and allow them to keep the extra cash in the end if they have any. Show them ways to save money like shopping at second-hand clothing stores, comparing prices, or saving coupons. Instead of handing them out cash every time they want to do an activity, give them a set budget for the month that they must manage. As they get older, show your students how you manage your family’s finances and help them understand how you prioritize what is most important.
This financial training is especially important for neurodiverse students. Individuals with ADHD can have a now-not-now mindset that leaves them prone to impulse purchases and debt. Individuals with autism can struggle to understand abstract financial concepts and those with executive functioning challenges can struggle to keep everything organized for long-term success. Directly teaching strategies and giving students opportunities to practice financial management can help set them up for success.
Cooking
Everyone needs to learn to cook; without this essential life skill students can become dependent on packaged meals or expensive delivery services as they enter adulthood. Remember, cooking contains four separate parts: planning what to cook, purchasing ingredients, cooking a meal, and cleaning up. Each of these skills needs to be taught and practiced before students can successfully live independently.
For younger students, this can start small with creating snacks or preparing their own lunches. As students get older, this can develop into more complex cooking skills. With the internet there are so many resources available that speak to a wide variety of dietary needs and food preferences. Give your student the freedom to experiment and discover what they like and allow them to make mistakes. With time and patience, they will develop the skills they need and maybe even find a new passion.
Health and Wellness
Most students will not work in sports, play sports at division 1 schools, or become professional athletes. This outcome does not mean that these sports are unimportant. Teaching students to enjoy physical activity and allowing them to feel comfortable in their body is what is most important and can get lost in the hunt for the next trophy. Allowing students to explore the ways that they enjoy moving whether this is running, swimming, biking, parkour, basketball, yoga, soccer, dancing, or hiking. Associating this movement with positive feelings is what fosters long-term holistic health.
Remember, especially in pre-teens and teens, health does not mean counting calories or restricting food intake. Some experts suggest that a societal obsession with preventing obesity has made things worse. It has led to sneaking food, binging, and negative body image. I really appreciate the intuitive eating approach and think it is a great way to prevent disordered eating and foster long-term wellness. Focusing on mindfulness, stress reduction, and listening to your body’s signals can be the best way to set your student up for long-term health.
Organization
During the school year, academics take precedence. The consequences are so much higher if students forget a test, lose their backpack, or cannot get to school on time. These consequences are gentler during the summer break. Use this opportunity to practice essential organization and executive functioning skills.
Have students pack their own bags for summer camps, vacations, or work. Push them to maintain their own calendar and schedule. Have them start doing their own laundry and planning out the clothing that they will need for each day. They may make mistakes and will deal with the consequences. Frame these as learning opportunities and enter these conversations with a growth mindset. The pain of watching your child stumble is temporary, the benefits of these skills are lasting.
Looking to prevent learning loss over the summer? Want a support team for your student that considers their holistic needs? Looking for strategies to stop the frustration and develop long-term executive functioning skills? Schedule a consultation with us!